Stats

Lifespan

25-35 yrs

Size

Large

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Cathemeral

Social

Colony

Biome

Temperate coastal ocean

Range

North Atlantic

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Live birth

Defense

Speed

Status

Common

About

The Grey Seal gets its scientific name Halichoerus grypus, meaning 'hooked-nosed sea pig,' from the male's distinctively long, Roman-nosed snout. It is one of the rarest seal species in the world despite forming some of the largest breeding colonies of any mammal.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn

   A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Phocidae

Genus

Halichoerus

Species

Halichoerus grypus